Overhead switch and hanger



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

P. 1?. WERNER. OVERHEAD SWITCH AND'HANGER.

No. 571,607. Patented Nov. 17, 1896.

- INVENTOR PAUL F0 WERNER mm rmimx I p [7 BY Zm/zlaw w CW WiTNESSES:

(No Model.)

I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. P. F. WERNER. OVERHEAD SWITCH AND HANGER- No. 571,607. Patented Nov. 17, 1896.

INVENTOR PAUL Fa WERNER 11 a WITNESSES:

w fimfim 0 ATTO R Y 7H NDRHXS PETERS w. FNOYGLIYHO WASWKGYON. D. C

UNITED STATES PATENT Fries.

PAUL F. YVERNER, OF VAILSBUBG, NEV JERSEY ASSIGNOR TO J. DUNCAN 8;

co, or BOSTON,

MASSACHUSETTS.

OVERHEAD SWITCH AND HANGER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 571,607, dated November 17, 1896.

Application filed June 2 Z 1 8 96.

To (LZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, PAUL F. \VERNER, a citizen of the United States, residing at V ailsburg, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Overhead Tramway Switches and Adjustable Hangers Therefor; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanyin g drawings, and to letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention has reference to improvements in overhead tramways or railways such as are ordinarily used in beef-houses, coldstorage houses, &c. and the invention has for its primary object to provide a novel construction of switch for establishing a direct communication between a main rail and two or more side rails, such switch being conveniently operated by the workman while pushing the traveler or truck for carrying the articles to be transported.

My invention has for a further object to provide in connection with a switch for the purposes stated an automatically-operating stop which closes the open side rail and acts to prevent the traveler or truck from jumping the end of the said rail when the main rail is closed.

' A further object is to provide a construction of switch which can be inserted in and secured directly to the rail, thereby dispensing with the use of extra and closely-placed hangers, as heretofore and still another object of this invention is to provide the two hangers which are nearest to each other at that point where the side rail meets the main rail or track with an adjusting means to bring them closer together or farther apart to suit the rail portions on the several parts of the switch.

The invention therefore consists in the novel construction of switch herein set forth and claimed, as well as in a safety device to be used in connection with the side rail, such device being adapted to be automatically operated when the side rail. is open and the main track closed to prevent the traveler or truck when run along the open side rail from jumping off the end of said rail.

The invention furthermore consists in such novel arrangements and combinations of parts to be hereinafter fully described, and finally embodied in the clauses of the claim.

In the accompanying sheets of drawings, in which similar letters of reference are einployed to indicate corresponding parts, Figure 1 is a perspective view of one arrangement of main track and side rail with my novel form of switch in position in the main track, the switch being represented open to present a continuous main track, said view also illustrating the adjustable hangers and the stop-piece or safety device for closing the open side rail. Fig. 2 is a plan or top view of the switch with the main track closed and the side rail open, the connection being made to provide a continuous straight rail; and Fig. 3 is a like view of the switch with the main track open and the side rail closed, the con nection in this instance being made on the curve. Fig. 4 is a vertical cross-section taken on line i 4 in Fig. 2; and Fig. 5 is a similar section taken on line 5 5 in Fig. 3, said views clearly illustrating the operation of the pivoted rail-sections of the switch. 7 are plan views of the switch, similar to the views illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, respectively, but the switch-bracket being secured directly to the curved side rail in stead of the straight rail, as in said Figs. 2 and 3, the switch in Figs. 6 and 7 being termed a left hand switch, while that in Figs. 2' and 3 is a right-hand switch. Fig. 8 illustrates still another application of the switch in the main rail to connect the latter with a curved rail which extends in a direction opposite from the direction of either of the curved rail shown in Figs. 2, 3, 6, and 7. Fig. 9 is a view of a pair of hangers to which the rails or tracks are secured, said view clearly illustrating an arrangement of adjusting screw or bolt for bringing the hangers closer together or farther apart. Fig. 10 is a plan view of the switch-bracket with the pivoted rail-section detached, and Fig. 11 is a perspective view of one of the railsections of the switch.

In said drawings, (a designates a series of Figs. (3 and hangers supported from the beams b, or from the ceiling of a building, each hanger being preferably provided with a shoulder a, which supports the rails or tracks 0 and c and which are secured against the sides of said hangers by means of screws or rivets a substantially as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 9..

At any desirable point in the main track 0, where direct communication between said track and a side rail 0 is to be made, the main track is cut away, as at 0 (seeFig. 1,) leaving the lower portion a continuous with the rail. Secured on one side of the main track at this point or part c by means of suitable bolts or rivets d is a suitable switch-bracket d, which, as will be more especially seen from Fig. 10, is provided with a pair of upwardly-curved arms (1 having in their free ends suitable bearing-portions 61 Between said two arms at the point of their extension from the main body portion of said bracket is a web (1 provided with a hole or perforation d Pivotally arranged on said web (1 by means of a screw or pin (2, which extends down into said hole is a lowerrail-section (2, provided with a suitable rail portion 6 adapted to slide into the cut-away portion 0 in the main track or rail 0, and also having anopening 9 the purpose of which will be more fully stated here inafter. As will be seen from an inspection of Figs. 1 and 3, the said rail portion 6 extends above the body of the rail-section e, in

order that when it is in position in the cutaway part c in the main track 0 the top of said main rail or track and that of the rail portion 6 will be perfectly flush, as clearly indicated in said Fig. 1, and a continuous rail is the result. Pivotally arranged between the bearing portions d of said arms (Z and on the bolts or pins j is a second rail-section f, provided at one side with the downwardly and outwardly extending parts f and f and the upwardly-extendin g rail portion f which is curved, as clearly shown, in order that the ends f and f will respectively rest in the portion 0 of the cut-away part c in the main track and the cut-away part c in the side rail 0, as will be clearly evident. Said rail-sectionfis also provided on its under side with a downwardly-extending spur f adapted to be made to enter into the opening a in the rail-section c, and on its upper side it is pro vided with an upwardly and back-wardly in-. clined arm or post f with which is loosely connected an operating-rod g, having a han-v dle g, substantially as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5.

hen the switch is in the position indicated in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, then the rail-section c has its rail portion 6 in position in the cut-away part c of the track 0, and a continuous main rail or track is the result. Suppose, however, that it is desired to run the traveler or truck from the main track onto the side rail 0 in the direction of the arrows in Figs. 2 and 3. The operator then merely raises the rod 9 by pushing upwardly on the handle g, thereby causing a pivotal movement of the raised switch plate or section f between the arms (1 The stud or spur f on said plate immediately comes in contact with the edge e of the opening 6 in the plate or rail-section e, causing the withdrawal of the rail portion 6 of said plate from the cut-away part c in the main track 0, while at the same time the rail portion f will be caused to rest on the part c of the cut-away portion 0 in the main track and the cut-away part c of the side rail 0, and in this manner a direct communication is readily established between the main track 0 and the curved rail 0, as will be clearly understood.

lVhen the main track 0 is to be closed, a pull on the handle g." and rod 9 will cause the stud f to. come in contact with the edge e of the plate 6, while the. plate f'swings on its pivots and the rail portion 6 on said section or plate 6 is again pushed intothe cut-away part c in the main rail.

In Figs. 6 and 7 I have illustrated the switchbracket d secured against the curved part of the rail 0 placed on the right or the left of the said main track 0. In this construction. however, the main rail or track 0 must be broken, while the part orrail 0 is made in one continuous piece with the main rail and has a cut-away part similar to the part c illustrated and described in connection with Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 of the drawings. This is clearly illustrated in said Figs. 6. and '7, and from an inspection of said Fig. Git will be seen that the rail portion of the plate or section 6 must be curved, while the rail portion f of the plate or section f is straight, in order that the switch may be operativewhen the truck or traveler is moved upon the said rails in the direction of the arrows in said figures. In all other respects the construction and operation of the switch are like that illustrated in said Figs. 1, 2, 3, &c.

, From an inspection of Fig. 8 it will be seen that by a reversal of the curvature of the rail portion f on the rail section or plate f direct communication can be established between the main track 0 and a side rail 0 which is curved in an opposite direction from either of the curved rails in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 6, or 7, and over which the traveler or truck can be run in the direction of the arrows in said Fig. 8. The construction of this form of switch is pie cisely similar to that illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, and theoperation of the switch will be evident from an inspection of said Fig. 8..

In all of Figs. 2, 3, 6, 7', and 8 I have illus-. trated the switch-bracket d and the rail=secs tions e and f thereon secured on one side of the rails, but the bracket d and its parts can just as well be secured on the opposite side of the rails, whereby the traveler or truck can be run on either side of the rail, according on which side the hangers are secured to the rail, to meet all conditions which present themselves in placing overhead tramways and switches in coldstorage houses, slaughterhouses, and the like.

In Figs. 1 and 9 I have illustrated two of the railsupporting hangers provided with an adjusting-screw, as 71, having two ad justingnuts 72. and 7L2 on its screw-threaded end on opposite sides of the one hanger, whereby the end of the side rail can be brought nearer to or farther away from the main rail to adjust it to the lengths and curvatures of the rail portions on the rail section or plates of theswitch.

As an extra precaution and to produce a safety device to preventthe traveler or truck from running off the end of the side rail when the main track is closed, that is, when the switch stands in the position illustrated in Figs. 1 and 4, I have pivotally arranged on a stud c on one of the hangers a (see Fig. 1) an arm i, having at its bottom a stop i, which is forced upon the upper edge of the rail 0, when the rail section or plate f is raised by the edge of the rail portion f coming in contact with an arm i connected with said arm 2 Said arm '6 is heavier than the said arm 2, which causes said arm 1' and its stop 1" to be raised from the side rail when the rail section or plate f is lowered in the manner hereinabove stated to establish a direct communication between the main rail and the side rail.

From the above description it will be evident that I have devised a simply-constructed switch for overhead tramways, which can be arranged directly in a straight track or rail or a curved rail, and can be secured on either sides of the rails by simply changing the direction of the rail portions e and fflwhereby the travelers or trunks can be used on the rails with their supporting-hooks extending down on either side of the rails, as necessity may demand.

I am fully aware that changes may be made in the arrangements and combinations of the parts herein described without departing from the scope of my invention. Hence I do not limit my invention to the exact arrangements and combinations of the parts as herein set forth and illustrated.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. In an overhead tramway, a switch comprising therein, a switch-bracket adapted to be secured to a rail, a pivotally-arranged lower rail section having an opening therein, and a rail portion, and a second rail-section above said lower rail-section, provided with a stud adapted to extend into the opening in said lower rail-section to operate the same, and a rail portion on said upper rail-section, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. In an overhead tramway, a switch, comprising therein, a switch-bracket cl having arms (I provided with bearings, a rail-section 6 pivotally arranged on said bracket and having a rail portion 6 and a rail-section f journaled in the bearing portions of said arms (Z having a rail portion f and means for operating said rail-sections, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

In an overhead tramway, a switch, comprising therein, a switchbracket (1 having arms (1 provided with bearin gs, a rail-section 6 pivotally arranged on said bracket,having an opening 6 and a rail portion e and a rail-section f journaled in the bearing portions of said arms (1*, having a rail portion f and a stud adapted to extend into said opening e to operate said rail-section e, and means for operating said rail-sections, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

at. In an overhead tramway, a switch, comprising therein, a switch-bracket (1 having arms d provided with bearings, a rail-section e pivotally arranged on said bracket, having an opening 6 and a rail portion 6 and a railsection f journaled in the bearing portions of said arms (1 having arail portionf and a stud adapted to extend into said opening a to operate said rail-section e, and upwardly and baokwardly inclining post on said rail-section f, and a rod 9 and handle 9' connected with said post to actuate said rail-section f, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

5. An overhead tramway, comprising arail or track 0 having a cut-away portion 0 and a disconnected rail, as c, of a switch-bracket secured to one side of said rail 0 directly in front of said cut-away portion 0 a rail-section e on said brackethaving an upwardly-extending rail portion e adapted to be forced into said cut-away portion 0 a second rail-section f on said bracket having a rail portion adapted to connect a portion of said cut-away part c with said disconnected rail 0', as set forth, and means for operating said rail-sections e and f, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

6. An overhead tramway, comprising a rail or track 0 having a cut-away portion 0 and a disconnected rail, as c, of a switch-bracket (Z secured to one side of said rail 0 directly in front of said cut-away portion c ,a pair of arms d on said bracket having bearing portions, a rail section 6 pivotally arranged on said bracket, having an upwardly-extending rail portion 6 and a hole 6 in said rail-section, a second rail-seotionfj ournaled in said arms d having a rail portion f and a stud adapted to extend into said opening 2 to operate said railsection 2, and means for operating said railsection f, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

7. An overhead tramway, comprising a rail or track 0 having a cut-away portion o and a disconnected rail, as c, of a switch-bracket d secured to one side of said rail 0 directly in in front of said cut-away portion 0 a pair of arms (1 on said bracket having bearing portions, a rail-section e pivotally arranged on said bracket, having an upwardlyextending rail portion 6 and a hole 6 in said rail-section, a second rail-sectionfjournaled in said arms d, having a rail portion f and a stud adapted to extend in said opening 6 to operate said rail-section e, an upwardly and backwardly inclining post on said rail-section f, and a rod g and handle 9 connected with said post to actuate said rail-section f, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

8. In an overhead tramway, the combination, with the rails c and a, hangers connected therewith, and a switch in said rail 0, having a pivoted rail-section f, of a stop-bar 11 pivotally connected with one of said hangers, having a stop 1," adapted to be brought in contact with said rail 0, and an arm 6 connected with said arm 2' adapted to be engagedaby said rail section f when raised, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.-

PAUL F. XVER'NER.

\Vitnesses FREDK. C1. FRAENTZEL, \VM. II. CAM'FIELD, Jr.- 

